Container closing machine



1966 a. c. BAUER 3,264,795

CONTAINER CLOS ING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 INVENTOR.

C 6.0mm at 6/11/52 Aug; 9, 1966 G. c. BAUER Filed Oct. 5, 1963 CONTAINER CLOSING MAGHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

awe/1w a 5,405

Aug. 9, 1966 s. c. BAUER 3,264,795

CONTAINER CLOSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

GERA L 0 a. 8A UER Aug. 9, 1966 e. c. BAUER CONTAINER CLOSING MACHINE 5 SheetsSheet 4 Filed Oct. 5, 1963 INVENTOR GER/1L0 c. @4149? Aug. 9, 1966 G. c. BAUER CONTAINER CLOSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1963 INVENTOR. GRALD c. EA up BY @MM zwz /zzy United States Patent 3,264,795 CONTAINER CLOSING MACHINE Gerald C. Bauer, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Mead Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Oct. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 313,571 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-428) This invention relates in general to a portable machine for applying tops to cylindrical fiberboard barrels and either separately or simultaneously applying to a rolled rim on said container a plurality of clips for holding the top on the barrel or a pair of diametrically disposed clips by means of which a bail can be attached to the barrel.

Cylindrical fiberboard barrels have been developed over the years to a point where they are very widely used for shipping and storing a wide variety of commodities. As a rule, those barrels, which will be subjected to severe usage and/or will contain liquids or relatively heavy materials, are advantageously formed substantially completely before they are shipped to the user. However, in order to assure the tightest possible seal between the container and the cover after it is filled and prepared for shipment, it is also advantageous to send the containers and covers to the user in the unclosed condition. This arrangement eliminates the chance of weakening the connection between the cover and container, hence, the seal therebetween, by having to remove the cover before filling the container.

If bails are required and are attached to the container before they are sent to the user, additional shipping room is required without any particular advantage to the user. Furthermore, it cannot always be determined before the containers reach the user whether it is desirable or even necessary to provide the container with a bail.

It follows, therefore, that there has been a need for a relatively inexpensive and easily, preferably manually, operated machine which could 'be installed at the users plant for properly applying the cover to the container and, simultaneously, if desirable, applying the bail engaging clips to the container.

Moreover, in many cases it is desirable to use additional clips for holding the cover in a closed position on this container. These clips also preferably are applied at the users plant.

Accordingly, the objects and purposes of this invention have been to provide:

(1) A portable machine for applying tops to fiberboard containers and simultaneously applying, if desired, cover holding clips or ball engaging clips to the rim of the container.

(2) A machine, as aforesaid, which is easy to operate, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which requires little or no maintenance, which can be adjusted to accommodate containers of different sizes, and which will perform as effectively and as eificiently as the high priced machines used by container manufacturers to fabricate fiberboard containers or barrels.

(3) A machine, as aforesaid, which requires a minimum of space, which is foolproof in its operation and which requires no special tools or complex instructions to effect its proper operation.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent to persons familiar with this type of equipment upon reading the following descriptive materialand examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a broken, side elevational view of a machine embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of said machine.

FIGURE 3 is a partially broken fragment of the upper portion of said machine shown in FIGURE 1 with parts thereof in a different position of operation.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the clip supporting portion of a lower jaw in said machine together with a clip to be supported thereby.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragment of the structure appearing in FIGURE 3 together with a fragment of a container.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragment of the structure appearing in FIGURE 1 together with a fragment of a container.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIGURE 4.

For convenience in description, the terms upper, lower and words of similar import will have reference to the machine of the invention as appearing in FIGURE 1. The terms front, rear and words of similar import will have reference to the right and left sides, respectively, of the structure as appearing in FIGURE 2. The terms inner/l outer and derivatives thereof will have reference to the geometric center of the machine em bodying the invention and parts thereof.

General construction The objects and purposes of this invention, including those set forth above, have been met by providing a machine having a frame structure within which a cylindrical container or barrel can be supported while a top is applied thereto and while a pair of clips, here bail supporting clips, are secured to diametrically opposite sides of the rim on the barrel. A barrel support platform, which is adjustably mounted upon the frame structure, includes a resiliently mounted pad which cushions the compressive force applied to the barrel when the clips are being attached to the rim thereof. A cover applying member is vertically movably mounted upon the frame and connected to a manually operable handle for effecting such vertical movement.

The clip applying mechanism includes one pair of upper, clip engaging jaws, which are mounted upon the cover applying member, and one pair of lower jaws mounted upon the frame structure for applying the clips to diametrically opposite parts of the rim on the barrel. These jaws are arranged so that the lower jaws are moved sidewardly toward each other in response to downward move ment of the upper jaws.

Detailed description The machine 1 (FIGURE 1), which embodies the invention, includes a frame structure 11 upon which a container supporting platform 12 is adjustably supported. A cover applying member 13 is vertically slidably supported by a crosshead 14 on the frame structure 11 directly above the support platform 12 to apply a cover 8 (FIGURE 8) on a container 9. A pair of upper clip engaging jaws 16 and 17 cooperate, respectively, with a pair of lower clip engaging jaws 18 and 19 to secure the bail clips 20 to a container 9. While this embodiment of the invention is used for applying bail clips, the invention can be used with only minor, if any, change, for applying other types of clips, such as clips for holding the top on the container.

The frame structure 11 includes a pair of spaced, parallel and horizontal base bars 21 and 22 upon and between which a base plate 23 is supported. A pair of spaced upstanding frame legs 28 and 29 are supported at their lower ends upon the upper surface 24 of the base plate 23 near its opposite ends. A pair of preferably identical plates 31 and 32 are, respectively, mounted upon the upper ends of the frame legs 28 and 29. A horizontal top frame member 33, which in this embodiment isaan upwardly opening channel (FIGURES 2 and 4), is supported near its opposite ends upon the plates 31 and 32..

The parts of the frame structure 11 described above are joined rigidly together by any convenient means, such as form 12 may be vertically adjusted by insertion of the screws 38 through selected pairs of vertically spaced holes generally indicated at 39 in the lower portions of the frame legs 28 and 29. The flanges on the mounting members 36 and 37 preferably embrace their respective frame legs 28 and 29 to prevent rocking movement of said mounting members and the platform 12 around a horizontal axis.

A horizontal cross member 41 (FIGURES 1 and 4),

which is secured to and between the mounting members.

36 and 37, has a transverse extension 42 preferably centered on and extending forwardly therefrom. The upper surface of the cross member 41 and the transverse exten- '25 a pair of spaced, upwardly opening holes therein, one of z sion 42 are coplanar. The cross member 41 has at least which is indicated at 43 (FIGURE 1), each of'said holes 43 containing resilient means such as the spiral spring 44. The cross member 41 also has at least a pair of spaced vertical passages 46 therethrough in which a pairlof bolts 47 are vertically slidably received. A'planar, essentially horizontal support table 51' lies over the cross member 41 i and transverse extension 42 has a T-shaped recess 52 in the underside thereof into which said cross member 41 and transverse extension 42' may be received. The springs 44 bear against the lower surface of the recess 52 for resiliently and vertically urging the table 51 away from the member 41. The bolts 47, which threadedlyengage the work table 51 from the underside thereof, prevent '40 sideward movement and limitvertical movement of the; table 51 with respect to the member 41. Hence,.the table 51 is resiliently supported upon the vcross member 41.

A fixed table leaf 54 is rigidly affixed to the extension 42'near the front end thereof and closely adjacent the for-- ward edge of the table 51. Thus, a workpiece or container can be placed on the leaf 54 and slid rearwardly therefrom onto the table 51.. A pair of guide rails 56 and 57, which 1 have spaced and parallelinner faces, are preferably mounted upon the table 51 so that they extend rearwardly from a point near the front edge of the table 51 to a point near the centerline of the table. The inner faces of railsi56 and 57 are spaced a distance equal to or slightly larger than the diameterof the lower end of the workpiece or container, the circumference of said container 9 at its lower end being indicated in broken lines at 9:1 in FIGURE 2. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE/2, the opposing faces of the guide rails 56'and 57 converge forwardly near their forward ends to define. a converging entrance into the space between said rails 56 and 57. Also, in this particular embodiment, the guide.

rails 56 and 57 are secured to the table 51. by means of screws generally indicated at 58. v

The distance between the guide. rails 56 and 57 may be changed in'a preselected amount, while remaining at the same distance from the forward edge of the table 51 by removing the screws 58 and reversing the positions of the guide rails on the table 51. Thus, the same guide rails 56 and 57 may accommodate containers of two .dif-

ferent diameters. Further, different guiderails can;be

piece on the table 51. A second threaded opening. 61

4. is located rearwardly of the: screw 59 (FIGURE 4) for reception of saidscrew59 for accommodation of a larger container.

A pair of crosshead guide blocks 65 and 66 are secured to the upper. ends of each of the: frame legs 28and 295 by means of locator pins 67 and screws 68 (FIGURE4).

The ends of the crosshead 14'are received-between the.

crosshead guide blocks 65 and 66, andare limited thereby to vertical movement.

The top frame member 33 (FIGURES 1, 2 and 3) has a bushing. 71 preferably centered thereon and extending downwardly therethrough. The: bushing 71 slidably sup-.

ports a .rod72' which is pivotally connected at its upper end to a manually actuable handle .73 .between the ends thereof. The short'end 76 of the handle .73 is pivotally aflixed at 77 to a block 78 which is fixedupou the top, frame member 33 at a point near to but spaced from the bushing 71.

A sleeve 82 .(FIGURE 3) isisecured to the upper face of the top frame member 33, as by welding, between the:

bushing .71 and block 78:. A cup 83 having ;a closed upperend capable? ofbearing against the lowerside of the handle 73, iis:slidably disposed in the sleeve 82. A spring; 84 is held under compression within the cup 83 between: the topframe member 33.and the cup; Thus, the spring.

84 urges, the. cup 83, hence the handle :73, :upwardly.

The lower end of-the rod 72 is-afiixed by pin 91 to the 5' crosshead 14 so that the handle 73 controls vertical movement of said crosshead 14 and so that the. cup 83.tends to hold said crosshead 14 in a raised position;

The crosshead 14 (FIGURE 5) has a depending central portion 92 which has the coverrapplying member 13 centered uponits bottom face and affixed thereto by a plurality of screws 93 and locating pins 94.

The member 13has. a cylindrical upper portion :96, a

filleted middle portion 97, defining an arc of approximately degrees, and a conical bottom'portion-'98.

Said member 13 is particularly-adapted to engage the upper side of a cover 8 (FIGURE 8) having anupstanding peripheral walli102 terminated in'an outwardly rolledv rim'103 which. is of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 261,941, filed February 25, 1963, which issued as: Patent No; 3,195,426 on July 20, 1965. 7

Thus, the conical bottom portion '98 assists theentryof the member 13. into the rim 103 .atthe' upper end of-the cover 8. Thefilleted portion 97 moves into close contact with the rolled rim 103 and .the bottom side of the cylindrical portion 96 may then bear'downwardly upon the upper side of the rim 103' to move said cover 8Ldownwardly into position on a container 9.

The upperclip engaging jaws 16 and 171 (FIGURE 3) are eachsecuredrby screws 105 upon the lower face .of the crosshead 14 on opposite sides of the central portion 92 thereof, hence of the cover applying member 13. The screw105 is alternately .introduciblei into one -of a pair of countersunk openings 108 i.and 110 'in the crosshead 14 so that said upper jaws 16 and 17 may be held in either of two spaced positions for connecting bail clips to containers of at least two or more different diameters. Addi-v tional openings can be provided the crosshead14 so that the jaws 16 and 17 canbe held inmore than two positions so that containers of various diameters can be handled.

by the machine. The jaws 16 and 17 each have an armate recess 106" at the lower inner edge thereof defining an arc somewhat greater than;90 degrees and thereby creating a downwardly extending tip '107 along the inner face,

wardly from the recess 106. The depending cams 109 have upwardly converging cam surfaces 111 ;on their inwardly facing: surfaces which terminate inarcuate sura faces 112. The top .of the arcuate surface 112.-.is:pref

so that the completed and covered container 9 can be removed from the machine 10 and replaced with another container upon which the procedure may be repeated.

It will be noted that Variations in the cover, the bail clip'and container rim may be compensated for by appropriate modification of or placement of specific detailed surfaces and parts of the jaws, the swing arms, the cover applying member and/or the crosshead 14. Thus, although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed hereinabove for purposes of illustration, variations or modifications of such disclosure, which come within the scope of the appended claims, are fully contemplated.

What is claimed is: 1. A machine for affixing a bail-engaging clip to the rim of a container, comprising:

a frame structure; a platform mounted upon said frame structure for supporting a container in the clip affixing position;

jaw supporting means mounted upon said frame structure for movement toward and away from said platform;

actuating means connected to said jaw supporting means for effecting said movement thereof;

a first jaw mounted upon said jaw supporting means for movement therewith toward the rim of a container supported by said platform in said clip affixing position;

a second jaw and means supporting said second jaw upon said frame structure for lateral movement toward and away from the rim of a container, said second jaw including clip supporting means for holding a clip for engagement by said first jaw; and

cooperating means associated with said first and second jaws for effecting lateral movement of said second jaw toward the container in response to said movement of said first jaw toward said platform, whereby said clip is rigidly afiixed to the rim of a container in said aflixing position.

2. A machine for affixing a pair of bail engaging clips to the rim of a cup-shaped container, comprising:

a frame structure;

a platform mounted upon said frame structure for supporting a container in the clip aflixing position;

jaw supporting means mounted upon said frame structure for movement toward and away from said platform;

actuating means connected to said jaw supporting means for effecting said movement thereof;

a first pair of spaced, clip engaging jaws mounted upon said jaw supporting means for movement therewith toward diametrically opposite portions of the rim of a container supported by said platform in said clip afiixing position;

a second pair of jaws and means supporting said second jaws upon said frame structure for movement toward and away from each other, said second jaws including clip supporting means for holding a pair of clips on diametrically opposite sides of the container and for engagement by said first jaws; and

cooperating means associated with said first and second jaws for effecting movement of said second jaws toward each other in response to said movement of said first jaws toward said platform, whereby said clips are rigidly affixed to the rim of a container in said affixing position.

3. The structureaccording to claim 2 wherein said actuating means is manually operated; and

wherein complete operation of said actuating means first effects a combination movement of said second jaws toward each other and relatively toward the first jaws, and then effects a short relative movement of said first and second jaws only toward each other.

4. A machine for applying a cover to the ope-n end of a cup-shaped container having a radially outwardly projecting rim at the open end thereof and, at the same time, afliiring a pair of bail engaging clips to said rim, comprising:

a frame structure;

a platform mounted upon said frame structure for supporting a container in the cover receiving position;

a cover applying member for engaging the cover of the container;

actuating means mounted upon said frame structure and connected to said cover applying member for moving said cover applying member toward and away from said platform, whereby a cover disposed at the openend of said container is urgedinto a closed position on said container;

a first pair of clip engaging jaws disposed on opposite lateral sides of said cover applying member and connected thereto for movement therewith toward the rim of a container supported on said platform in said receiving position;

a second pair of jaws and means supporting said second jaws upon said frame structure for movement toward and away from each other, said second jaws including clip supporting means for holding a pair of clips on opposite sides of the container for engagement by said first jaws; and

cooperating means associated with said first and second jaws for effecting lateral movement of said second jaws toward each other in response to the movement of said first jaws toward the platform, whereby said clips are rigidly affixed to the rim of a container in said receiving position.

5. A machine for applying a cover to the open end of a cup-shaped container having a radially outwardly projecting rim of circular cross section at the open end thereof and, at the same time, affixing a pair of bail engaging clips to said rim, comprising:

a frame structure;

a platform mounted upon said frame structure for supporting a container in the cover receiving position;

a circular plate for engaging the cover of the container;

actuating means mounted upon said frame structure and connected to said plate for moving said plate toward and away from said platform, whereby a cover disposed at the open end of said container is urged into a closed position on said container;

a first pair of clip engaging jaws disposed on diametrically opposite sides of said plate and connected thereto for movement therewith toward the rim of a container supported on said platform in said receiving position;

a second pair of jaws and means pivotally supporting said second jaws upon said frame structurefor movement toward and away from each other, said second jaws including clip supporting means for holding a pair of clips on diametrically opposite sides. of the container for engagement by said first jaws; and

cooperating means associated with said first and second jaws for effecting movement of said second jaws toward each other in response to the movement of said first jaws toward the platform, whereby said clips are rigidly affixed to the rim of a container in said receiving position.

6. The structure according to claim 5 including a table mounted on the side of said platform nearest said plate for movement toward and away from said plate;

resilient means urging said table toward said plate; and

stop means limiting the movement of said table toward said plate.

7. The structure according to claim 5 wherein said cooperating means includes a pair of opposing cam surfaces on said first jaws and cam follower means connected to said'secon'd jaws and engageable with said cam surfaces for effecting said movement of said second jaws toward each other in response to the movement of said first jaws toward the platform.

erably horizontally aligned with, but outwardly spaced.

from, the lower outer edge of the arcuate recess 106. r

Swingbrackets 113 and 114 (FIGURES l and 9) are. mounted by screws 116, above the container supporting.

base 12,1upon the frame legs 28and 29, respectively.

The screws 116 are insertable in either of a pair of horizontally spaced holes 115 and 125 in the frame legs-28" and 29 to vary the distance between the swingbrackets 113 and 114 for accommodating at least 2 or more of different diameter containers. The swing brackets 113 and- 114 extend inwardly from their respective frame legs28i i and 29 and pivotally support by pins 117- upstanding, swing arms 118 'and119, respectively.

Each of the swing brackets 113 and 114 has a recess 132a. in-Which a cap 132 is disposed. A spring 133 disposed in the cap 132 urges the lower end of the swingv arms 118 and 119'inwardly and hence urges the upper= ends thereof outwardly.

The lower jaws 18 and 19 (FIGURE 1) are mounted by screws 121 andlocating pins 122 (FIGURE 4) uponthe inner faces of the respective swing arms 118 and 119 and extend slightly thereabove (FIGURE 7). An.upwardly facing shoulder 127 is here provided in the inner faces of eachrof the swing arms 118-and 119 against which to accurately vertically locate the respective lower jaws 18and 19; The upper, outer edge of each of the swing arms 118 and 119 is preferably rounded at 123..

A cylindrical cam follower is supported upon each swing.

arm by means of an axle 124. The lower jaws 18 and 19 each have a groove 120 for clearance of the fol-lower 126. The follower 126 extends upwardly to the level of the upper side of the accompanying lower jaw and extends outwardly past the outersurface of the swing arm supportingsame. Thus, lowering of the crosshead14 by downward movement of the handle 73 (FIGURE'3) causes the cam 111 to move downwardly whereby the follower 126 rolls along said cam to force the associated swing arm inwardly. There is a short, vertical dwell surface 135 on the inner face of each upper jaw 16-and 17 between the lower endof the arcuate surface 112 and the upper end of the cam surface 111' thereon. The dwell surface 135 permits the upper jaws 16 and 17. to move a short distance toward the lower jaws 18 and 19, respectively, in order to crimp the clips 20 onto the rim 140. (FIGURES), without moving the lower jaws 18 and 19. inwardly. The movement of the upper and lower 1 jaws toward each other terminates when the followers 126 become seated in and against the arcuate surface 112." At such point, the top of the lower jaws 18 and 19 will be in contact with the bottom of the upper jaws 16and 17;

The lower jaws 18 and 19 both have a pair of horizontally spaced inwardly projecting abutments128iand.

128a (FIGURES 6 and 7) with outwardly and upwardlyv curving concave surfaces 129 and 129a at the upper edge.

thereof. The inner ends 134'and 134a of the surfaces 129 and 129a, respectively, are slightly above thelowest points in said surfaces so that they can cooperate with.

the tip 107.0n the arcuate recess .106 (FIGURE 18) :to crimpthe clip 20 onto the rim 140. (FIGURE 6) is recessed in the inner face of the jaws 18-and :19 adjacent the upper end thereof and between A magnet 131:

the abutments128 and 128a to hold the clip 20 *in' crimp,

ing position on the lower jaw 18.

The recesses 106, 129 and 129a are preferably formed so that a ball clip 20 (FIGURE 6) of the type shown in my copending application Serial No. 261,941, which issued as Patent No. 3,195,426 on July 20, 1965, will have its lower gripping ears-137 engageable by the surfaces 129 and 129a, its upper ears 139 engageable by This arrangement allows. for the crimping movement of the jaws 16, 17. and-18, 19 toward-each other after the"- c-lips 20. have been moved by the lower jaws 18,49 into snug engagement with the rim 140'; 1

OperatiQn Normally,.operation of the machine 10 beginsjwith the handle 73 in its:raised position of FIGURE 3 whereit is held..by the spring loaded .cup 83.. Hence,-the-cover applying member 13 and the upperjaws 16 and 17 are in.

their raised positions of FIGURE 3. The spring loaded caps 132 (FIGURE 9) urge the upper ends of the swing arms 118 andy119 intotheir outermost positions (FIG-- URES 3 and *7), whereby thepcam followers 126 are in contact with the cams.111.: A pair of bail clips 20 (FIGURE 6) areplaced upon each of the lower jaws 18 and 19 where they are held by the magnets 131.

The container supporting base 12 is adjusted vertically to a correct operating height by placing the screws 38 in the proper ones of the adjustmentholes 39in the legs 28i and 29.. In' this way, the table 51 v will be positioned at the correct distance from the orosshead 14 for the container. 9 upon which the machine: is to perform its operation.v The. guide rails 56 and.57 andthe screw 59'are adjusted to define a circle 9a (FIGURE 2) correspond ing-to the outerdiameter of the lower end of the container. 9." Thus,-if the container 9 .is placed upon the extension leaf 54 andmoved'inwardly toward the table 51, it willibe guided ,in such movement by the tapered forward ends; of the guidefrails 56 and 57 until said container 9abuts the screw- 59,=at which time, said containery9 will be-centered in the machine 10 below the cover app-lying member 13... A cover 8 :can now be loose-. ly placed on the container for installation by the machine 10.= Where the container 9 has an outwardly rolled rim 140 :(FIGURE 7), ofthe type described in said appli-;

cation Serial No. 261,941, which issuedas Patent No.

3,195,426 on July 20, 1965, the verticaldimension of saidrim 140 :will be essentially that of. the bail clip 20..

1 The machine 10. is: operated by moving'the. long end 79 of the handle: ,73,downwardly, whereby the rod 72 moves the crosshead 14 andthe cover applying member 13 downwardly. The peripheral wall 1021of the cover 20 is moved into the. zone defined bytheyinner:extension- 141-of the rim 140, and the lower surfaceof therolled. rim 103 on;the cover 20 is moved downwardly into=con-.

tact (FIGURE 8) withisaidrim extension 141 on the rim 140.

Simultaneously with the foregoing action, the upper jaws 16 and 17 move downwardly with the crosshead 14 so that the ,arcuate surfaces106 rthereofmove into positions adjacent the upper ears 139 on the .bail clips 20.

The downward movement of the upper jaws 16 and 17 causes the cams 111 to bear against-the followers 126 on the swing arms: 118fand 119 whereby said swing arms,v hence, the lower jaws 18 and 19; with the bail clips20- held thereon,',are.moved "inwardly. .toward' and snugly embrace the container: rim'140. At about the moment that this occurs, the followers 126 will move onto-the dwell surfaces and the ears 137,139 on the clips 20:

will be engaged by'and between the tip 107 on the upper jaws and the endsr134 and. 134a on the lower jaws. Accordingly, the remaining movementof-the upper and lowerjaws toward eachother causes ears 137 land139 of the bail clip 20 to be tightly lcrimped vagainst thebottom and top surfaces of; the rim 140 through an arcuate .dis-

tance substantially" iniexcess of .180 degrees, whereby the bail clips-20are attached tobthe container 9.

During the final crimping movement of said jawsto- Ward each other, the rim103 ,willbe inengagernent with the rimextension 141. To prevent damage to these parts, table .51 will move downwardly, against the contrary urging of the springs 44, untilafter the crimping opera.

tion is completed. The handle 73 may now be released whereupon the mechanism will return to its initial position i 8. The structure according to claim wherein said first and second jaws are arranged in cooperating pairs and the jaws in each pair have communicating concave recesses along their adjacent inner edges which, when said second jaws are :in their closest positions adjacent the rim of a container in said receiving position, define a pair of concave cavities exceeding 180 degrees in circumferential extent, said concave cavities opening toward each other and having radii of curvature slightly greater than the radius of curvature of the rim. v

9. The structure according to claim 5 wherein said actuating means is manually operated; and

wherein complete operation of said actuating means first effects a combination movement of said second jaws toward each other and relatively toward the first jaws, and then effects a short relative movement of said first and second jaws only toward each other.

10. A machine for applying a cover to the open end of a fiberboard container having a metal, radially outwardly projecting rim of circular cross section secured to the open end thereof and, at the same time, securing a pair of bail-engaging clips to said rim, comprising:

an upright frame structure having a pair of upright members and a top member;

a platform vertically adjustably mounted upon and extending between said upright members beneath said top member;

a table mounted upon said platform for movement toward and away therefrom;

resilient means urging said table upwardly from said platform, and stop means limiting upward movement of said table by said resilient means;

a manually operable handle pivotally supported upon said top member for movement around a horizontal axis;

a crosshead guidingly supported beneath said top memher and between said upright members above said platform;

linkage connecting said handle to said crosshead for effecting vertical movement of said crosshead in re. sponse to pivotal movement of said handle;

means on said table for locating a container in a cover receiving position;

a circular, cover engaging plate mounted upon the lower side of said crosshead and movable therewith toward and away from said table, said plate being arranged and urging a cover into the upper end of a container supported upon said table in a container receiving position;

a pair of upper jaws secured to said crosshead on diametrically opposite sides of said plate and respectively adjacent said upright members;

a pair of swing arms pivotally and adjustably mounted upon said upright members directly below said upper jaws;

resilient means urging the upper ends of said swing arms away from each other;

a pair of lower jaws secured to the upper ends of said swing arms on the opposing sides thereof, said upper jaws being moved toward said lower jaws when said crosshead is moved downwardly;

cooperating cam and cam follower means on said upper jaws and said swing arms for effecting movement of the upper ends of said swing arms toward each other in response to downward movement of said upper jaws so that said upper jaws engage said lower jaws;

adjacent, communicating concave surfaces on said upper and lower jaws defining a pair of coucavities when said jaws are in engaging positions, said concavities opening toward each other so that said conrcave surfaces closely embrace diametrically opposite sides of the rim on said container in said receiving position, whereby a pair of clips disposed within said coucavities are rigidly clamped to said run.

'11. The structure according to claim 10 wherein said clips are made from a magnetizable metal and wherein a magnet is mounted upon each lower jaw adjacent the concave surface thereon for holding a clip thereon.

No references cited.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR AFFIXING A BAIL-ENGAGING CLIP TO THE RIM OF A CONTAINER, COMPRISING: A FRAME STRUCTURE; A PLATFORM MOUNTED UPON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING A CONTAINER IN THE CLIP AFFIXING POSITION; JAW SUPPORTING MEANS MOUNTED UPON SID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PLATFORM; ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID JAW SUPPORTING MEANS FOR EFFECTING SAID MOVEMENT THEREOF; A FIRST JAW MOUNTED UPON SAID JAW SUPPORTING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH TOWARD THE RIM OF A CONTAINER SUPPORTED BY SAID PLATFORM IN SAID CLIP AFFIXING POSITION; A SECOND JAW AND MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SECOND JAW UPON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE FOR LATERAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE RIM OF A CONTAINER, SAID SECOND JAW INCLUDING CLIP SUPPORTING MEANS FOR HOLDING A CLIP FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID FIRST JAW; AND COOPERATING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND JAWS FOR EFFECTING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND JAW TOWARD THE CONTAINER IN RESPONSE TO SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST JAW TOWARD SAID PLATFORM, WHEREBY SAID CLIP IS RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO THE RIM OF A CONTAINER IN SAID AFFIXING POSITION. 